I marginally prefer the first one because the abstract nature of the shot is accentuated by the apparent monotone and also because the portrait orientation seems to fit the textures and patterns of the details so well.

Well done for spotting the possibilities of the shot in the field (loch!).

My vote is for #1 as well. I think it would work well with a yellow de-saturation to get rid of the patch in the top left. In a large print I would find it distracting from the great textures and patterns that initially draw me.

Thanks everyone it is very much appreciated and makes me very happy that you have enjoyed looking at these images.

Well Dave, you, amongst others, have given me a lot of viewing pleasure through the year.It is a wonderful privelage to observe and appreciate the work of others.Your latest offerings, wonderful images that they are, personify the creativity of humanity.In your case to spot the possibilities initially and then to to capture those compositions so well.

Hopefully, apart from the pleaure of viewing, we are also cross-pollinating each other with creative ideas and probably more importantly just encouraging each other to get out there and shoot and persist even when our results appear to fall short of our creative ideals.

So Dave, thank you, and thanks to everyone who has had the courage to share their work and creativity.A Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to you and everyone.

Well Dave, you, amongst others, have given me a lot of viewing pleasure through the year.It is a wonderful privelage to observe and appreciate the work of others.Your latest offerings, wonderful images that they are, personify the creativity of humanity.In your case to spot the possibilities initially and then to to capture those compositions so well.

Hopefully, apart from the pleaure of viewing, we are also cross-pollinating each other with creative ideas and probably more importantly just encouraging each other to get out there and shoot and persist even when our results appear to fall short of our creative ideals.

So Dave, thank you, and thanks to everyone who has had the courage to share their work and creativity.A Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to you and everyone.

Tony Jay

Tony, I am deeply touched by your words, you have made a grumpy old man very happy this Christmas, I feel very humbled indeed - thank you again.

If ever I am fortunate enough to capture something worthwhile, I always feel that I have only been able to do so by standing on the shoulders of giants.